Paula Henry

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Archive for August, 2007

Your Home, Your Way by Renovation Resources

August 30th, 2007 categories: Indianapolis Real Estate News, Indy Home Buyers, Indy Home Sellers, Indy Market Trends

Clientmtg1This post is by an industry colleague, Jeff Echols, of Renovation Resources. If you have a question for Jeff about renovation and remodeling, be sure to ask. Welcome, Jeff! I write a free, monthly, electronic newsletter for my company, Renovation Resources.

Like blogging, the obvious key to success in this area is selecting the relevant topics every month. One thing that s been on most peoples mind over the past couple of months has been property taxes. Theres a topic. But it s worn out, overly negative, and too emotionally and politically charged. But still, it s an important topic and better yet, it may have big implications for the remodeling / renovation market.

I started talking to everyone I know, from Realtors like Paula Henry to Real Estate Investors to Contractors to Mortgage Brokers to Homeowners. I was in search of the silver lining. Paula has written a post on the subject already. Finally, the answer was obvious. The important article for my newsletter wasn t about property taxes; it was about Renovation strategies in light of the new property taxes. Seems obvious now.

My advice to clients and potential Renovators in the current climate remains basically unchanged. For homeowners there are two viewpoints from which to consider planning a Renovation project: Quality of Life and Resale Value. Unless they are planning on selling their home in the next two years, I typically advise clients to lean more heavily towards the Quality of Life side of the equation.

I think that the recent property tax issues bear this out now more than ever. If you want to remodel your kitchen or add a master suite or extra bedroom just to improve your quality of life in your existing home, then by all means, do so.

I wouldn t advise executing a design that will negatively impact your resale value or expanding to a project scope that will price you too far out of your neighborhood, but being comfortable and happy in your own home has a value all it s own.

If you need to sell your home soon certain Renovation projects can give you the upper hand in a slow market. One look at the lineup on HGTV will prove my point. Yours may be one of a growing number of homes in the neighborhood that have recently sprouted a Realtor s sign. There s no need to worry about property taxes now, you ve already been assessed. All you re worried about is getting the house sold. What will distinguish your home from the others? Will an updated kitchen do the trick? Or will yours be the only one with a legitimate master suite?

A well advised approach to key Renovations could help you sell faster and bring in more at closing than your neighbors. As we enter what is likely to be a new era in the ongoing debates on taxation, property value and, in turn, the real estate market, it may be best to take a step back, be patient and examine our Renovation goals. Who are we Renovating for? And why? Jeff Echols

Despite wildly varying opinions, the property tax issue will eventually be settled and life will return to normal. Approach your Renovation project under quality guidance and you should come out ahead. Jeff Echols Renovation Resources, LLC 5222 E 9th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46219 317.408.4322 Renovation Resources

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Back Home Again in Indiana

August 30th, 2007 categories: Indy Home Buyers, Indy Home Sellers

271910_pool_amAlthough I have been back a while, I recently submitted my post to I Choose Indy . The website is a tribute of sorts to those who choose to live in Indy.

There are many reasons to choose Indy as home, mine has to do with family and quality of life ( no more two hour commutes in traffic) the seasons, (fall is my favorite), and Hoosier Hospitality.

Here s the post I submitted to I Choose Indy!

In the summer of the late 60’s, my family decided to leave Louisville KY. to start a new life in Indianapolis. You could say Indianapolis chose me! With six children in tow, my parents settled in the area now known as South Broad Ripple. Back then, the name and area of Broad Ripple did not hold the allure it does today. The Monon Trail was actually still a railroad track.

We used to play for hours at Arsenal Park, running under the water of the spray pool, swinging and singing the words of Rod Stewart’s, Maggie Mae . The whole family took swimming lessons at Broad Ripple Park. My brothers played little league close by and we went to the State Fair every year. It was the life.

In the early seventies we moved to the near west side where you could hear the roar of the Indy cars. I remember it was the first home my parents owned. They were so excited and I had little understanding as to why. To me, it was another home. I spent the rest of my home years there. The westside of Indianapolis became home to me.

I eventually married, had three of my children at Methodist Hospital and started my own journey. My family’s journey took us to New Jersey, St. Louis, Missouri, Phoenix, AZ, Southern California, back to Phoenix and now here. We have come full circle and this time, “We chose Indianapolis!
My husband could probably live anywhere……..me, I love to be with family and friends. As my children have grown, I have a daughter, son-in-law and two grandaughters here in Indy. A daughter, son-in-law and a grandson in Ohio, plus a grandbaby on the way. And one daughter who is still at home. She actually wanted to move back here and she is the only one not born in Indiana.
Most of my family still lives here as well as a few high school friends. What makes a person leave the beauty of the Southwest for the plains of Indiana. It is a home coming and one which is overdue. I love the seasons, the trees in bloom, the warm loving people. I am a hoosier at heart and I have come home.
Today, I am a Realtor who understands what it means to buy your first home, sorry Mom and Dad! I also know and understand the need for more space when the children are growing and now, I know what it means to downsize. I am happy to be home and look forward to assisting many in their search for the home which matches their life phase and lifesyle.

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The Realtor is The Seller……..

August 29th, 2007 categories: Indy Home Sellers, Selling My Home

Number one of a continuing series to get my home sold. Money into Home

We relocated to Indianapolis to be home where our family is and have maintained our home in Phoenix Arizona. We have now decided to put our home in Phoenix on the market.

While I have been in Phoenix for the last 10 days, I have looked at a few of the homes on the market which are my competition. This has given me a good idea about what I need to do to get mine ready.

When we purchased this home, we had our work cut out for us. It is a 1979 Territorial style home with a flat roof (a foreign design to Hoosiers). Many of the interior items are the original and the exterior was; let’s just say, it was in need of attention. Since we have been here we have painted, installed a new A/C and Furnace, Hot water heater, completely remodeled the pool and landscaping, replaced all appliances, changed out fixtures, replaced all ceiling fans with new fixtures………you get the picture. We have done a lot!

With all of these items completed, we should be ready to put up a For Sale sign, get it marketed and wait for the perfect buyer. But……not so fast. We have the most antiquated bathrooms,(pictures later) which need to be revamped, remodeled, renovated, whatever you want to call it. We have been getting estimates and the cost, oh my!

Should I do it? As a Realtor, I know a buyer will come through my door and start taking off the amount of the repairs needed and the amount they come up with will be a lot more than the cost to do the work.

So, yes, we will do the updating. It will take time and we will probably put the home on the market in January. It gives us a few more months to enjoy this home we love……we’ll probably do one last hooray in January when the weather is outstanding in Arizona. Step One – We wait for the remodel to be completed……………..

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Authored by Chris | Discussion: 4 Comments »

Ready, Set, Race!

August 29th, 2007 categories: Brownsburg Real Estate, Indy Happenings

IStock_000003773775XSmallJust mention the word Indianapolis and it conjures images of auto racing. We now have to add Brownsburg Indiana to the list of major racing cities.

In the April 2007 issue of National DRAGSTER The Indianapolis suberb of Brownsburg was dubbed the New Drag Racing Capital of the World .

David Powers Motorsports, one of the National Hotrod Associations leading top-fuel drag racing teams, has announced it will relocate it s Houston based headquarters to Brownsburg. The race team will invest more than 3 million dollars to locate a 30,000 square foot facility in Brownsburg, housing their headquarters, garage and a testing facility and create 42 jobs.

Many racing teams have already made the move to Brownsburg:

Kenny Bernstein Racing recently brought his top-fuel dragster and funny car teams here. J.J. Yeley Racing, Pedregon Brothers Racing, 360 Brakes, Schumacher Racing, Vance and Hines Motorsports, Indy Performance Composites, Beck Motorsports, Morgan Lucas Racing, Larry Dixon, Gotham City Racing (Mike Ashley) and Snake Racing have all recently made the move to Brownsburg s Nitro Alley.  Kasey Kahne Racing and Tony Stewart Racing have also selected Brownsburg as their home for their USAC outlaw teams. (excerpt from Inside Indiana Business)

This is perfect timing as we we head into this weekends NHRA Nationals at Indianapolis O Reilly Raceway Park. Rod Fuller of David Powers Motorsports leads the Top Fuel points standing heading into this weekend.

What better way to continue the image of Indianapolis as the motorsports capital of the world.

Get out to IRP this weekend, enjoy the races and extend a warm welcome to the newest members of our community.

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Authored by Paula | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Posh’d

August 27th, 2007 categories: Indianapolis Real Estate News

Poshd

I have been Posh’d, well, my Blog site has. Posh’d is a website which is dedicated to featuring and promoting websites and blogs which are trying to break the mold amd make real estate sites a better experience for everyone.

My site is one of 22 sites which you can vote on this month. I would appreciate the votes and the constructive criticism as well as the applaud about what you like and don’t like about it.

I consider this an honor to me and Jim Cronin at Real Estate Tomato. Please vote, we have a few days left! Click on the Posh’d logo to enter their site. My Blog is IndyRealEatateTalk.com.

Thanks,

Paula

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Authored by | Discussion: 2 Comments »

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